Date of Award
8-2025
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School
Communication
Committee Chair
Kathryn Anthony
Committee Chair School
Communication
Committee Member 2
Laura Alberti
Committee Member 2 School
Communication
Committee Member 3
Brent Hale
Committee Member 3 School
Communication
Committee Member 4
John Meyer
Committee Member 4 School
Communication
Committee Member 5
L. Paul Strait
Committee Member 5 School
Communication
Abstract
This dissertation explores the complex dynamics of medical communication between student-athletes and athletic trainers in Division I programs. Using uncertainty management theory and patient-centered care literature the dissertation investigates how student-athletes and athletic trainers communicate during diagnosis, treatment, and return-to-play scenarios. Through qualitative interviews with 20 student-athletes and 15 athletic trainers across multiple states and sports, the current study identifies patterns in how uncertainty is communicated and managed. Findings reveal multiple key themes in how athletic trainers and student-athletes navigate uncertainty surrounding injuries and the complications they face when making decisions. The results highlight the tension between institutional demands and individualized care, emphasizing the need for more inclusive and patient-centered communication practices. By bridging gaps between traditional patient-provider literature and the lived realities of medical care in college athletics this research calls for structural and educational changes that prioritize long-term health and agency of student athletes.
ORCID ID
0009-0000-6263-4429
Copyright
Amanda Walsh, 2025
Recommended Citation
Walsh, Amanda, "Good or Good Enough: Medical Communication Between Student-Athletes and Athletic Trainers" (2025). Dissertations. 2373.
https://aquila.usm.edu/dissertations/2373